Integrated animal production research -- objective 1: evaluate small ruminant production efficiency outcomes in managed grazing platforms within fruit and nut orchards

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Central Program Planning Coordination and Support awarded a $434,153 Cooperative Agreement to Fort Valley State University on August 15, 2026, under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001).

Fort Valley State University will conduct integrated animal production research across three objectives: evaluating small ruminant production efficiency outcomes in managed grazing platforms within fruit and nut orchards; assessing the impact of managed orchard grazing strategies on animal health and well-being; and evaluating the influence of small ruminant grazing strategies on plant and soil productivity and health. Research will be performed in Fort Valley, Georgia, with a period of performance through August 14, 2027.

The program supports peer-reviewed research conducted in cooperation with Agricultural Research Service in-house research programs. Fort Valley State University, a Historically Black College and University and 1890 Land-Grant Institution, operates as a federal grant recipient delivering agricultural research and extension services across the Department of Agriculture portfolio, with sustained engagement through USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Objective 2. Assess the impact of managed orchard grazing strategies on animal health and well-being. Objective 3. Evaluate the influence of small ruminant grazing strategies on plant and soil productivity and health.